Second Lady of the United States

Second Lady of the United States
Incumbent Jill Biden since January 20, 2009
Style	Dr. Biden
Residence	Number One Observatory Circle
Inaugural holder	Abigail Adams
Formation	April 21, 1789
Website	Jill Biden

The Second Lady of the United States is an informal title for the wife of the Vice President of the United States, coined in contrast to the First Lady (who is almost always the wife of the president). The term "Second Lady" may have been first used by Jennie Tuttle Hobart to refer to herself, later fell out of favor, but was revived in the 1980s. During the 1990s the title was again abandoned, in favor of "wife of the Vice-President", but was later resurrected during the administration of Barack Obama.

The second lady's visibility in the public sphere has been a somewhat recent development. Although the role of the First Lady as White House hostess dates from the beginning of the republic (and was typically filled by another member of the president's family if the president was unmarried or a widower), with a few exceptions, it was generally not until the late 20th century and early 21st century that vice-presidential wives took on public roles that attracted significant media attention.

Floride Calhoun, wife of Vice President John C. Calhoun, was a central figure in the Petticoat Affair, a social-political scandal which involved the social ostracism of Secretary of War John H. Eaton and his wife Margaret O'Neill Eaton further damaging already-strained relations between Vice President Calhoun and President Andrew Jackson. Tipper Gore, wife of Vice President Al Gore, was active in several campaigns to remove material she found objectionable from popular American entertainment like movies, television shows and music, starting when her husband was a senator. She challenged performers over their use of profane lyrics and often debated with her critics, such as Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra. Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, championed education reform, citing specific failures of the American public education system during her tenure as second lady. She is a particularly outspoken supporter of American history education, having written five bestselling books on this topic for children and their families. Jill Biden, the current second lady, works as an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College, and is thought to be the first second lady to hold a paying job while her husband is vice president. She has been involved in various causes, including breast cancer awareness and literacy.

There have been 17 periods of vacancy in the role, the longest of which continued for 16 years between the service of vice presidential spouses Abigail Adams and Ann Gerry. The most recent second lady vacancy was for 132 days in 1974, between the service of Betty Ford and Happy Rockefeller.

List of wives of the vice presidents

No.	Image	Second Lady	Date of birth	Vice President Marriage date	Tenure	Date of death (age)	Tenure as First Lady
01.0 1		Adams, Abigail Abigail Adams (née Smith)	(1744-11-11)November 11, 1744	Adams, John John Adams October 25, 1764	April 21, 1789—March 4, 1797	(1818-10-28)	1797–1801
01.1 Vacant; Jefferson, Thomas Thomas Jefferson was a widower.					March 4, 1797—March 4, 1801
01.2 Vacant; Aaron Burr was a widower.					March 4, 1801—March 4, 1805
01.3 Vacant; George Clinton was a widower.					March 4, 1805—April 20, 1812
01.4 Vacant; no Vice President.					April 20, 1812—March 4, 1813
02.0 2		Gerry, Ann Ann Gerry (née Thompson)	(1763-08-12)August 12, 1763	Gerry, Elbridge Elbridge Gerry	March 4, 1813—November 23, 1814	(1849-03-17)
02.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					November 23, 1814—March 4, 1817
03.0 3		Tompkins, Hannah Hannah Tompkins (née Minthorne)	(1781-08-28)August 28, 1781	Tompkins, Daniel D Daniel D Tompkins	March 4, 1817—March 4, 1825	(1829-02-18)
04.0 4		Calhoun, Floride Floride Calhoun (née Colhoun)	(1792-02-15)February 15, 1792	Calhoun, John C. John C. Calhoun January 8, 1811	March 4, 1825—December 28, 1832	(1866-07-25)
04.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					December 28, 1832—March 4, 1833
04.2 Vacant; Buren, Martin Van Martin Van Buren was a widower.					March 4, 1833—March 4, 1837
04.3 Vacant; Johnson, Richard Mentor Richard Mentor Johnson was unmarried.					March 4, 1837—March 4, 1841
05.0 5		Tyler, Letitia Christian Letitia Christian Tyler (née Christian)	(1790-11-12)November 12, 1790	Tyler, John John Tyler	March 4, 1841—April 4, 1841	(1842-09-12)	1841–1842
05.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					April 4, 1841—March 4, 1845
06.0 6		Dallas, Sophia Sophia Dallas (née Nicklin)	(1798-06-24)June 24, 1798	Dallas, George M. George M. Dallas 1816	March 4, 1845—March 4, 1849	(1869-01-11)
07.0 7		Fillmore, Abigail Abigail Fillmore (née Powers)	(1798-03-13)March 13, 1798	Fillmore, Millard Millard Fillmore February 5, 1826	March 4, 1849—July 9, 1850	(1853-03-30)	1850–1853
07.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					July 9, 1850—March 4, 1853
07.2 Vacant; King, William R. William R. King was unmarried.					March 4, 1853—April 18, 1853
07.3 Vacant; no Vice President.					April 18, 1853—March 4, 1857
08.0 8		Breckinridge, Mary Cyrene Burch Mary Cyrene Burch Breckinridge (née Cyrene Burch Rhodes)	(1826-08-16)August 16, 1826	Breckinridge, John C. John C. Breckinridge December 12, 1843	March 4, 1857—March 4, 1861	(1907-10-08)
09.0 9		Hamlin, Ellen Ellen Hamlin (née Emery)	(1835-09-14)September 14, 1835	Hamlin, Hannibal Hannibal Hamlin 1855	March 4, 1861—March 4, 1865	(1925-02-01)
10		Johnson, Eliza Eliza Johnson (née McCardle)	(1810-10-04)October 4, 1810	Johnson, Andrew Andrew Johnson May 17, 1827	March 4, 1865—April 15, 1865	(1876-01-15)	1865–1869
10.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					April 15, 1865–March 4, 1869
11		Colfax, Ellen Maria Ellen Maria Colfax (née Wade)	(1836-07-26) (1836-07-26)July 26, 1836	Colfax, Schuyler Schuyler Colfax November 18, 1868	March 4, 1869—March 4, 1873	(1911-03-04)
11.1 Vacant; Wilson, Henry Henry Wilson was a widower.					March 4, 1873—November 22, 1875
11.2 Vacant; no Vice President.					November 22, 1875—March 4, 1877
11.3 Vacant; Wheeler, William A. William A. Wheeler was a widower.					March 4, 1877—March 4, 1881
11.4 Vacant; Arthur, Chester A. Chester A. Arthur was a widower.					March 4, 1881—September 19, 1881
11.5 Vacant; no Vice President.					September 19, 1881—March 4, 1885
12		Hendricks, Eliza Eliza Hendricks (née Morgan)	(1823-11-23)November 23, 1823	Hendricks, Thomas A. Thomas A. Hendricks	March 4, 1885—November 25, 1885	(1903-01-03)
12.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					November 25, 1885—March 4, 1889
13		Morton, Anna Anna Morton (née Street)	(1846-05-18)May 18, 1846	Morton, Levi P. Levi P. Morton 1873	March 4, 1889—March 4, 1893	(1918-08-14)
14		Stevenson, Letitia Letitia Stevenson (née Green)	(1843-01-08)January 8, 1843	Stevenson, Adlai I Adlai Stevenson I 1866	March 4, 1893–March 4, 1897	(1913-12-25)
15		Hobart, Jennie Jennie Hobart (née Tuttle)	(1849-04-30)April 30, 1849	Hobart, Garret Garret Hobart July 21, 1869	March 4, 1897–November 21, 1899	(1941-01-08)
15.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					November 21, 1899—March 4, 1901
16		Roosevelt, Edith Edith Roosevelt (née Carow)	(1861-08-06)August 6, 1861	Roosevelt, Theodore Theodore Roosevelt December 2, 1886	March 4, 1901–September 14, 1901	(1948-09-30)	1901–1909
16.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					September 14, 1901—March 4, 1905
17		Fairbanks, Cornelia Cornelia Fairbanks (née Cole)	January 1852	Fairbanks, Charles W. Charles W. Fairbanks 1874	Mary 4, 1905–March 4, 1909	(1913-10-25)
18		Sherman, Carrie Carrie Sherman (née Babcock)	(1856-11-16)November 16, 1856	Sherman, James S. James S. Sherman January 26, 1881	March 4, 1909–October 30, 1912	(1931-10-06)
18.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					October 30, 1912—March 4, 1913
19		Marshall, Lois Irene Lois Irene Marshall (née Kimsey)	(1873-05-09)May 9, 1873	Marshall, Thomas R. Thomas R. Marshall October 2, 1895	March 4, 1913–March 4, 1921	(1958-01-06)
20		Coolidge, Grace Grace Coolidge (née Goodhue)	(1879-01-03)January 3, 1879	Coolidge, Calvin Calvin Coolidge October 4, 1905	March 4, 1921–August 2, 1923	(1957-07-08)	1923–1929
20.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					August 2, 1923—March 4, 1925
21		Dawes, Caro Caro Dawes (née Blymyer)	(1866-01-06)January 6, 1866	Dawes, Charles G. Charles G. Dawes 1889	March 4, 1925–March 4, 1929	(1957-10-03)
21.1 Vacant; Curtis, Charles Charles Curtis was a widower.					March 4, 1929—March 4, 1933
22		Garner, Mariette Mariette Garner (née Rheiner)	(1869-07-17)July 17, 1869	Garner, John Nance John Nance Garner November 25, 1895	March 4, 1933–January 20, 1941	(1948-08-17)
23		Wallace, Ilo Ilo Wallace (née Browne)	(1888-03-10)March 10, 1888	Wallace, Henry A. Henry A. Wallace	January 20, 1941–January 20, 1945	(1981-02-22)
24	80px	Truman, Bess Bess Truman (née Wallace)	(1885-02-13)February 13, 1885	Truman, Harry S. Harry S. Truman June 28, 1919	January 20, 1945–April 12, 1945	(1982-10-18)	1945–1953
24.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					April 12, 1945—January 20, 1949
24.2 Vacant; Barkley, Alben W. Alben W. Barkley was a widower.					January 20, 1949—November 18, 1949
25		Barkley, Jane Hadley Jane Hadley Barkley (née Rucker)	(1911-09-23)September 23, 1911	Barkley, Alben W. Alben W. Barkley November 18, 1949	November 18, 1949–January 20, 1953	(1964-09-06)
26		Nixon, Pat Pat Nixon (née Ryan)	(1912-03-16)March 16, 1912	Nixon, Richard Richard Nixon June 21, 1940	January 20, 1953–January 20, 1961	(1993-06-22)	1969–1974
27		Johnson, Lady Bird Lady Bird Johnson (née Taylor)	(1912-12-22)December 22, 1912	Johnson, Lyndon B. Lyndon B. Johnson November 17, 1934	January 20, 1961–November 22, 1963	(2007-07-11)	1963–1969
27.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					November 22, 1963—January 20, 1965
28		Humphrey, Muriel Muriel Humphrey (née Buck, later Brown)	(1912-02-20)February 20, 1912	Humphrey, Hubert Hubert Humphrey September 3, 1936	January 20, 1965–January 20, 1969	(1998-09-20)
29		Agnew, Judy Judy Agnew (née Judefind)	(1921-04-23)April 23, 1921	Agnew, Spiro Spiro Agnew May 27, 1942	January 20, 1969–October 10, 1973	(2012-06-20)
30.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					October 10, 1973-December 6, 1973
30		Ford, Betty Betty Ford (née Bloomer)	(1918-04-08)April 8, 1918	Ford, Gerald Gerald Ford October 15, 1948	December 6, 1973–August 9, 1974	(2011-07-08)	1974–1977
30.1 Vacant; no Vice President.					August 9, 1974-December 19, 1974
31		Rockefeller, Happy Happy Rockefeller (née Fitler)	(1926-06-09)June 9, 1926	Rockefeller, Nelson Nelson Rockefeller May 4, 1963	December 19, 1974–January 20, 1977	(2015-05-19)
32		Mondale, Joan Joan Mondale (née Adams)	(1930-08-08)August 8, 1930	Mondale, Walter Walter Mondale December 27, 1955	January 20, 1977–January 20, 1981	(2014-02-03)
33		Bush, Barbara Barbara Bush (née Pierce)	(1925-06-08)June 8, 1925	Bush, George H. W. George H. W. Bush January 6, 1945	January 20, 1981–January 20, 1989	2025-01-7 Living	1989–1993
34		Quayle, Marilyn Marilyn Quayle (née Tucker)	(1949-07-29)July 29, 1949	Quayle, Dan Dan Quayle November 18, 1972	January 20, 1989–January 20, 1993	2025-01-7 Living
35		Gore, Tipper Tipper Gore (née Aitcheson)	(1948-08-19)August 19, 1948	Gore, Al Al Gore May 19, 1970	January 20, 1993–January 20, 2001	2025-01-7 Living
36		Cheney, Lynne Lynne Cheney (née Vincent)	(1941-08-14)August 14, 1941	Cheney, Dick Dick Cheney August 29, 1964	January 20, 2001–January 20, 2009	2025-01-7 Living
37		Biden, Jill Jill Biden (née Jacobs)	(1951-06-03)June 3, 1951	Biden, Joe Joe Biden June 17, 1977	January 20, 2009–present	2025-01-7 Living

List of living current or former vice presidents’ wives

As of January 2025, there are five living current or former vice presidents’ wives. The most recent second lady to die was Nelson Rockefeller's widow, Happy Rockefeller on May 19, 2015.

• Barbara Bush, wife of George H. W. Bush
• Marilyn Quayle, wife of Dan Quayle
• Tipper Gore, wife of Al Gore
• Lynne Cheney, wife of Dick Cheney
• Jill Biden, incumbent, wife of Joe Biden

See also

• First Lady of the United States

External links

•  – The Official White House site for the Second Lady
•  – List of the wives of Vice Presidents